Apparatus for distributing feed in farming sheds and methods for distributing feed with the apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for distributing feed, comprising: at least one line for the distribution of feed from at least one storage location to a series of dispensers for dispensing the feed to the cages of animals, at least one feed container which affects the line upstream and downstream of the dispensers respectively for the loading and discharging of feed, on the part of the line, not released to the dispensers, means for detecting the level of feed inside the container, at least one control system adapted to receive filling information of the feed container from the detection means and to control the loading of the line with feed from the storage location or from the feed container and to set the travel speed of the line.

1 . An apparatus for distributing feed in farming sheds, comprising:
 at least one line for the distribution of feed from at least one storage location to a series of dispensers for dispensing the feed to the cages of animals,   at least one feed container which affects said line upstream and downstream of said dispensers respectively for the loading and discharging of feed, on the part of said line, not released to said dispensers,   means for detecting the level of feed inside said container,   at least one control system adapted to receive filling information of said feed container from said detection means and to control the loading of said line with feed from said storage location or from said feed container and to set the travel speed of said line.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said detection means comprise at least two sensors adapted to detect the presence of feed inside said container, installed therein at different heights. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said container is open in an upper region in order to receive feed from said line and is also provided with regions for loading the feed to said line. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one storage location consists of a silo. 
     
     
         5 . A method for distributing feed with the apparatus according to  claim 1 , which, in normal conditions of operation and using at least two of said lines, consists in:
 with at least one first line of said lines, drawing the feed from at least one of said at least one storage location and said feed container, in passing upstream of said dispensers, and discharging the feed into said container, in passing downstream of said dispensers,   with a second line of said lines, drawing the feed from said container, in passing upstream of said dispensers, discharging it to said dispensers and any excess to said container in passing downstream of said dispensers.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising the stop of said first line if the level of feed reaches a second filling level which is higher than a first filling level. 
     
     
         7 . A method for distributing feed with the apparatus according to  claim 1 , which consists in:
 drawing, with at least one of said lines, the feed from said at least one storage location,   distributing the drawn feed to said dispensers,   discharging any excess feed into said feed container, downstream of said dispensers,   when the feed level in said container reaches a second filling level, reducing the speed of said line travelling along the distribution circuit.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the following steps:
 if the feed level in said feed container decreases below the first filling level, increasing the speed of said line travelling along the distribution circuit, otherwise   if the feed level reaches a second filling level, higher than the first one, reducing the speed.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the following step: if, after a certain time interval, the feed level drops below the second filling level of said feed container, drawing feed again from said at least one storage location, otherwise drawing from said feed container. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising, in the presence of two lines, when the feed level in said feed container remains, for a given time interval, equal to or greater than said second filling level, the following steps:
 stopping a first one of said lines,   drawing feed, with a second one of said lines, from said feed container.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the following step: if the feed level drops below said second filling level, reactivating said first line, which draws feed from said at least one storage location. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the following step: if the feed level in said container drops below the first filling level and remains in this condition for a time that exceeds a preset time interval, returning said second line to draw feed from said at least one storage location.